Evaluating Agricultural Sustainability in Afghanistan (Case Study: Nijrab District)

Agricultural sustainability is crucial for the economy of the Nijrab District in Kapisa Province, as it heavily relies on agriculture. However, there are growing concerns that the overuse and destruction of the environment may jeopardize human societies’ quality of life and health, highlighting the need for further investigation into the underlying factors and their impacts. This study aims to determine the sustainability of agriculture in the Nijrab District. This will be achieved by examining three main economic, ecological, and social aspects. The required data for this research was collected from various sources, such as the Department of Environment, the Department of Promotion, and the Department of Agriculture, Livestock, and Irrigation. Additionally, questionnaires were completed by 264 farmers and 20 experts. The analytical hierarchy process (AHP) method was utilized to evaluate agricultural sustainability. According to expert assessments, the economic aspect was identified as the most significant factor, contributing 55.8% to overall agricultural sustainability, followed by the environmental (32%) and the social (12.2%). Profit, health status, and pesticides were the most influential factors in agricultural sustainability, with weights of 0.473, 0.358, and 0.253, respectively. Kalan Dara was identified as the most sustainable valley, with a score of 0.219, while Qaus Dara was the most unsustainable valley, with a score of 0.1. The sensitivity analysis indicated that altering the sustainability criteria and sub-criteria weights did not substantially change agricultural sustainability. Afghanistan’s policymakers must prioritize policies promoting agricultural sustainability to ensure food security, economic growth, and environmental protection.